Evans predicts tough day

The race for the Tour de France yellow jersey is set to gather pace today after the general classification contenders took a watchful approach on stage seven in the foothills of the Alps.

Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) reclaimed the race leader's maillot jaune from Fabian Cancellara with his second stage victory, winning the 165.5-kilometre race across the Jura Mountains from Tournus to Station des Rousses. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) moved up to second, 1min 29secs behind Chavanel and Team Garmin-Transitions' Ryder Hesjedal moved up a place to third, eight seconds further back.

Evans anticipates today's first Alpine stage to Morzine-Avoriaz to be another watchful day for the general classification contenders. He said: "I think it'll be another day where the main GC contenders are looking at themselves, testing themselves."

Evans added: "We'll see if someone really wants to lay it on the line and try and blow it apart.

"Someone like Alberto (Contador) or Lance (Armstrong), it's probably in their best interest to do that.

"It's not like they've got that much to lose.

"For me, I'll see how they go and how I go."

Cancellara's capitulation in the mid-mountains handed the maillot jaune away and Chavanel, who won stage two from Brussels to Spa, was the man to benefit after attacking at the foot of the day's final climb, the 14km-long second category Lamoura.